Former Olympic Champion Ian Thorpe Is Set To Become A Dad

Entertainment

Posted on January 24, 2019

Swimming champion Ian Thorpe is set to become a dad for the first time with long term boyfriend. Thorpe, 36, told the Daily Mail that he and Ryan Channing are in the early stages of becoming parents through a surrogate in the United States.

Channing, 28, has been dating Thorpe since 2015.

Thorpe told the website 'We're talking about it and have for a while, but it's still early days.’ Channing said they had decided on a fertility clinic in Los Angeles because of the strict laws in Australia.

'Becoming parents is something that Ian and myself would love to make happen,' he said. 'Unfortunately the laws in Australia are difficult for same sex males in regards to surrogacy - California state law has really progressed in this space which makes it the best option legally.

'Something I would love to see progress further in Australia so same sex couples don't have to trouble abroad to achieve their family goals.'

Thorpe was unable to be in Los Angeles with his partner during the initial consultations due to his Australian Open commitments.